Dementia support in the local community

The Memory Tree CIC is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2012 by Dr Elizabeth Anderson to bring the knowledge she built up about dementia during her academic career direct to the community. We are based in Shipley, West Yorkshire and at present we have 5 Memory Clubs for local families affected by dementia operating in 5 communities within the Bradford Metropolitan District: Shipley, Idle, Keighley, Low Moor and Burley-in-Wharfedale.

SUPPORT FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED IT

Our Memory Clubs run on a ‘Time Together – Time Apart’ model which was born out of consultation with family carers who told us that what they particularly wanted was a local place where they could go together with their loved one but still get some time apart.

Our meetings last for between 1.5 to 2 hours; during the first half we all enjoy informal chat together over a cup of tea and refreshments, but in the second half we divide into two groups so that structured Memory Support sessions, based around reminiscence, simple activities and singing, can be enjoyed by the people with dementia, whilst the carers retire to an adjacent room for a meeting chaired either by Elizabeth or a trained volunteer (often a former carer) where they can share experiences and advice with one another in comfort and confidence. Our Memory Clubs are run by local volunteers and former carers, supported by Elizabeth, Bob and Andrea at The Memory Tree office.

STAY UP-TO-DATE

Click the link below to follow us on Social Media for up-to-date news on what we are doing at our memory clubs.

WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY

Some of the feedback from our wonderful club members.

"I greatly value that we are able to have some time apart. I feel that we both gain more confidence at the sessions. It enables me to speak about problems and I enjoy the discussions."

Memory Tree Member

“My husband enjoys coming here as well, as he likes to talk to the other men with memory difficulties.”

Memory Tree Member

“The sessions are valued as they help my husband to express himself when I am not there. I particularly value the support of the staff and the other carers, and the information we receive.”

Memory Tree Member

"In the carers group we have time together to laugh or to cry with others who really understand what it is like."

Memory Tree Member

"If the Memory Club was closed this would leave a gap in our support."

Memory Tree Member

"I particularly value the pleasure of being with people who know and understand the problems."

Memory Tree Member​

WHO ARE WE

Meet the team who help organise The Memory Tree CIC

Elizabeth Anderson

Founder

Dr Elizabeth Anderson trained as a research psychologist, specialising in dementia in the late 1990’s when she completed her doctorate at the University of Oxford. Prior to founding The Memory Tree she worked as a Lecturer in Dementia Studies at the University of Bradford (2002 – 2008) and then as a freelance Dementia Care Trainer (2008 – 2011).

Bob Hutton

Volunteer

Bob has been working alongside Elizabeth as a volunteer since 2011. He is the lead for the Memory Support programme. Bob does a number of other voluntary roles with older people in the Bradford area, including the Home from Hospital scheme run by Carers’ Resource and being a volunteer driver for the Volunteer Centre Bradford.

Andrea Peakall

Volunteer

Andrea has been a volunteer since 2014 and agreed to become our third director in 2015. Andrea’s main role is to help with fundraising, planning and local engagement and she helps out at Clubs as and when she is needed.